According to the latest report from the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH), a staggering 89% of the Cuban population is living in extreme poverty, and 78% express a desire to leave the country. The report, released on Tuesday, highlights the critical issues plaguing the nation, such as widespread power outages, food shortages, the high cost of living, inadequate salaries, and the crumbling healthcare system. Despite these glaring problems, the Cuban authorities persistently deny their severity or blame external factors.
For the first time, power outages have emerged as the primary concern for Cubans, with 72% citing it as their top worry, slightly surpassing food scarcity, which concerns 71% of the population. Following these are the cost of living (61%), low wages (45%), and the lack of medicines and healthcare services (42%). In stark contrast, issues like the U.S. embargo and small private businesses barely register concern among the population, affecting only 3% and 2% of those surveyed, respectively.
The survey reveals that 78% of respondents either wish to emigrate or know someone who does, a trend that is particularly pronounced among younger generations. The United States is the preferred destination for 30%, although 34% expressed a willingness to relocate "anywhere," reflecting the urgency and desperation of the situation. Meanwhile, countries like China and Russia appeal to a mere 2% of those looking to leave.
Impact of Economic Hardship on Daily Life
The report paints a grim picture of the daily struggles faced by Cubans. A severe food crisis persists, with 7 out of 10 individuals skipping meals due to financial constraints or food scarcity, a proportion that rises to 8 out of 10 among those over 61 years old. Only a quarter of the population has not faced food access issues. Regarding medications, 12% couldn't purchase them due to high prices, and 13% due to shortages, with a mere 3% successfully acquiring them from state pharmacies.
The study underscores that eight out of ten people live in poverty, with six struggling to afford basic necessities. The elderly are the hardest hit, with 82% living in poverty, followed by those without foreign aid (62%) and the unemployed (34%). Unemployment remains around 12%, with 72% of the jobless having been out of work for over a year, a figure that climbs to 81% among the youth. Notably, 32% of the unemployed have been in this situation for more than three years.
Furthermore, 14% of individuals over 70 continue working post-retirement, highlighting the impossibility of surviving on minimal pensions. The OCDH notes an overwhelming disapproval of the regime, with 92% of the population rejecting the government, while a mere 5% hold a favorable view. Among the youth aged 18 to 30, support dwindles to 3.39%.
In terms of remittances, 37% of households receive some form of aid, mainly through food or medicine packages (55%), phone recharges (58%), or monetary transfers (57%). Most receive these aids every two to three months, with only 29% receiving them monthly.
Calls for Structural Reforms
The OCDH emphasizes that the regime's disconnect and indifference to the people's problems characterize its governance. The organization insists that the situation necessitates structural reforms. It argues that widespread poverty and the severe crisis of social rights can only be addressed through a market economy, respect for private property, free enterprise, legal security, and foreign investments.
The poverty levels in Cuba have reached critical proportions. A study indicates that 89% of families on the island live in extreme poverty, reinforcing the perception that the socio-economic situation is continually worsening. This alarming figure was previously reported by the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, highlighting the deepening of widespread impoverishment in the country.
In a context where the Cuban government does not publish updated official statistics on poverty, economist Pedro Monreal has strongly criticized the lack of transparency in data, arguing that this omission prevents effective policy-making to tackle the shortages affecting millions. According to his critiques, without clear figures, strategies cannot be designed to alleviate the hardships faced by the population.
This scenario is part of a broader pattern: Cuba is identified as the poorest country in Latin America according to recent regional comparisons, contradicting the official narrative that seeks to portray sustained social progress. Moreover, the country was ranked as the ninth most miserable in the world in an international index considering variables like inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.
The public's distrust of the regime's management is overwhelming. A recent survey revealed that 94% of Cubans do not trust the government to solve the country’s problems, reinforcing the perception of abandonment and hopelessness among the populace.
Understanding Cuba's Socioeconomic Crisis
What are the main factors contributing to poverty in Cuba?
The main factors contributing to poverty in Cuba include widespread power outages, food shortages, high living costs, inadequate salaries, and a deteriorating healthcare system.
How many Cubans want to emigrate and why?
According to the report, 78% of Cubans either want to emigrate or know someone who does, primarily due to the economic hardships and lack of opportunities in the country.
What is the preferred destination for Cubans wishing to emigrate?
The United States stands out as the preferred destination for 30% of those wishing to leave Cuba, although 34% are willing to move "anywhere" due to the urgency of their situation.
How does the Cuban government respond to the poverty crisis?
The Cuban government often denies the severity of the poverty crisis or blames external factors, which contributes to a lack of effective policies to address the country's socio-economic problems.